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GRAMMY-nominated modern rock band RED is preparing to release its second CD, INNOCENCE & INSTINCT, on February 10, 2009, via Essential Records. The disc features 10 songs, including its first single Fight Inside. The band will simultaneously release a Deluxe Edition of INNOCENCE & INSTINCT featuring four bonus tracks, the Death of Me music video, a making of documentary and more.

The Nashville-based group is currently touring the U.S. with Puddle Of Mudd–with a November 16 show at Highline Ballroom in New York City–through November 29, and will perform at select radio shows in December. Known for relentless touring and riveting live shows, RED–JASEN RAUCH (guitars), MICHAEL BARNES (vocals), ANTHONY ARMSTRONG (guitar) and RANDY ARMSTRONG (bass)–has logged an impressive 500+ live shows since releasing its End Of Silence debut album in 2006 and are giving fans a taste of its new music while on the road in late 2008.
INNOCENCE & INSTINCT offers a primal and provocative look into the dark and sometimes seemingly hopeless fight inside each one of us, told through the powerful sphere of the bands hard-hitting music. Produced by award-winning Rob Graves and mixed by Ben Grosse (Disturbed, Depeche Mode, Sevendust), the provocative INNOCENCE & INSTINCT was forged in a perfect storm of inspiration and catastrophe. From the literary spark of Dantes Inferno to the bloody aftermath of a 75mph highway crash, RED absorbed a flood of ideas and emotions that empowered the band to create powerful and thought-provoking rock songs. Finding the sonic sweet spot where epic and primal converge, INNOCENCE & INSTINCT features dynamics that super-charge its innocence vs. instinct theme.

INNOCENCE & INSTINCT is about the duality of man, explains guitarist/songwriter RAUCH. The album examines the fight between our childlike innocence and the instinctive side that makes us do things we shouldnt. A lifetime is spent on this internal tug of war between who we really are and who we hope to be.

A highway crash in late 2007 accelerated the bands emotional core. As the tour van smashed into a guardrail and violently slid sideways across the highway, the band experienced new heights of horror that they channeled into INNOCENCE & INSTINCT. It brought an intensity and depth that we couldnt reach without going through this experience, RAUCH reflects. In the months after the accident, it felt like everything was in overdrive. In a split second, it changed our lives, adds six-stringer ANTHONY ARMSTRONG.

The disc is highlighted by its first Rock radio single, Fight Inside. The song is an anthem for what the entire album is about. On our first release, End of Silence, we addressed issues we struggled with, but this time its about the struggle itself, says guitarist-songwriter Jasen Rauch. It encapsulates the struggle between innocence and instinct that resonates through all the songs on this record. The music captures the internal tug-of-war inside all of us; between good and evil, light and darkness, spirit and flesh, exploring that fragile barrier between overcoming and being overcome.

RED made an immediate impact with its 2006 debut, End of Silence, which sold more than a quarter-million copies and earned several awards and nominations. The GRAMMY-nominated disc–featuring the radio hits Breathe Into Me (No. 1 , Christian Rock & Top 10, Active Rock), Break Me Down (No.1, Christian Rock), Already Over (No. 1, Christian Rock & Top 15, Active Rock), Let Go (No. 1, Christian Rock & Top 15, Active Rock) and Lost (No.1, Christian Rock) — introduced the sonic layering, rich orchestration and visceral dynamics that became REDs signature sound. The album steadily built momentum, cracking the Billboard Top 200 a year after its release. Not surprisingly, the album became a hit with other bands as well, leading to tours and shows with Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Sevendust, Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, Buckcherry, Puddle Of Mudd, Staind, Seether, Disciple, Third Day and Switchfoot, among others.

Grammy-award winning hard rockers Slipknot announced today their first U.S. headline tour in support of their 1 album All Hope Is Gone.The tour, which kicks off on January 23rd in St. Paul, MN, will hit 33 cities across the country, and include an historic stop at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a first for the band. Coheed and Cambria and labelmates Trivium round out the bill.

Frontman Corey Taylor says of the trek, “2009 is the 10 year anniversary of the world’s first taste of this band. To celebrate we are coming back out with a killer tour, a couple great bands and the same ferocity with which we attack life. We want all of our maggots to come and celebrate with us, because if it wasn’t for you we wouldn’t have been here for 10 years. Get ready for chaos!”

A special iTunes presale will start on December 3 and be open to those who took part in the band’s digital album presale earlier this year. Internet presales via Ticketmaster, will commence on December 5, and the majority of dates will go on sale December 6th.

The All Hope Is Gone World Tour marks Slipknot’s first headline run in America since the release of the album in August. The band is currently playing to sold out arenas on the other side of the globe; including stops in Russia, Japan, Australia, Europe and wrapping in the United Kingdom with three sold-out nights at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. Preceding All Hope Is Gone’s 1 debut, the band held the headline slot on this summer’s sold-out inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, which drew the biggest crowds to a metal festival since Slipknot played Ozzfest in 2004.

To celebrate the tour, Hard Drive, hosted by Lou Brutus will be airing a Slipknot All Hope is Gone World Tour Special from December 3rd-6th on radio stations all across the country. The special will feature exclusive live tracks from their current tour as well as candid interviews and other surprises.

The band has also launched a new website, allhopeisgone.com to coincide with the launch of the tour. All pre-sale and onsale information will be made available there.

Titans among themselves: 1 February 2009 will see the launch of a four-week tour by the two metal legends, Saxon and Iced Earth, in Paris. This sensational co-headlining package is certainly among the strongest of recent years and will take the two bands through countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Italy. Fans can look forward to dynamic power metal at its very best, especially since both groups will also present thoroughly exciting new releases to accompany the tour. Tickets for the concerts are available from ticketing agencies.

Saxon are considered one of the most charismatic acts of today’s metal business. Their latest album release, Into The Labyrinth, out on 12 January 2009 (Germany: 9 January 2009, U.S.: 13 January) via Steamhammer/SPV proves that Saxon mark 2009 haven’t lost any of their expressiveness, enthusiasm and inspiration. Along with numerous classics, vocalist Biff Byford & Co. will present the strongest tracks from their new album during the tour, expertly combining present and past.

For Iced Earth, this will be the first full European tour since the return of frontman, Matt Barlow. “I am pleased Matt is back,” explains guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer. “We are brothers with a long, meaningful relationship behind us” The band will present songs from their current album, The Crucible Of Man, and for spring Schaffer has also announced the release of a new DVD.

Nearly a decade after suing Napster for posting their music online, Metallica are contemplating the possibility of an Internet release for their next album. “We’re free of our record contract,” Lars Ulrich tells Rolling Stone. “We have that element of complete freedom with the next record, so we can do whatever we want. We could do an Internet thing or even put it on Andy Greene’s record label.” (I, for one, think that’s a great idea). They’re in no rush to head back into the studio however. “I wouldn’t hold my breath for another Metallica record,” Ulrich says. “I’m still decompressing and coming down from the whole experience of the last one, but if we spit one out every four or five years that’s not so bad.” In the meantime, Lars and the band are reveling in the reaction to Death Magnetic and their ongoing American arena tour. “There’s a tremendous amount of goodwill for Metallica right now,” Ulrich says. “Not only from the fans, but from our peers and from the critics and from everybody, so it’s just a good time to be out amongst it.”

Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson says that he and brother Chris Robinson, the group’s frontman, have “tons of songs around. Chris and I are always writing.” They just have to figure out what to do with them.

“We want to make another record” with the Crowes, the younger Robinson tells Billboard.com, which likely means a 2009 follow-up to this year’s “Warpaint.” That was the Crowes’ first set of new material in seven years and the band’s first for its own Silver Arrow Records imprint.

“We still want to do this,” Robinson says. “Having all this sort of new enthusiasm and this new found sense of identity as a band, I think we want to put it to good use and make another great record and really do some different and interesting things.”

The Crowes resume their Euphoria Or Bust Tour on Dec. 5 for a dozen dates, finishing with a five-night stand Dec. 15-20 at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Now shows have been announced yet for 2009, and Robinson notes that recording will be a priority.

“Right now I’m just writing what I write, and Chris is writing what he writes,” the guitarist says. “When we get together and put all of our songs together, I think it’ll dictate what common direction it’s going to go. Once that happens, that’s when I think everyone’s gonna come in and we’ll solidify everything.”

The Robinsons also hope to do some more work as Brothers of a Feather, which they launched with a 2006 duo acoustic tour. “Chris and I had so much fun doing it, we’re talking about making a new Brothers album of all originals,” Robinson reports, adding that they’re not concerned about having to make a Solomon’s choice between songs for that project and for the Crowes.

“I think the context will dictate that pretty easily,” he says. “I think there will be songs that are more suited to that (acoustic) presentation than what would be right for the Crowes. We’ll just keep writing and come up with things and suss through ’em all. It’s better to have too much material than too little.

Cyclone Records is proud to announce that Brad Trew has assumed management duties of Russ Graham (aka Russ Dwarf) for a number of different projects. Russ is best known for quirky stage antics as lead singer of the Killer Dwarfs.

Russ’ latest projects include:

• Showcasing the best of the Killer Dwarfs, RUSS DWARF AND THE MONGOLS features Russ Dwarf (Lead Vocals), Chris Targiroff (Guitars, Vocals), Youri Targiroff (Guitars, Vocals), Big Papa Mike (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Mark Di Claudio (Drums, Vocals). The band launched their inaugral show at the Carl Dixon benefit show at The Pheonix Concert Hall-Toronto on October 30th, 2008.

• Russ Graham is also now fronting the Canadian classic rock band, MOXY. Dubbed in the press as Canada’s Led Zeppelin, MOXY is recognized internationally for delivering a blistering, explosive live experience for over thirty years. Russ will be hitting the stage with MOXY for the first time, headlining the Javelina Harley Davidson/KZEP Festival on November 22nd, 2008 in Boerne, Texas.

• Russ is also fronting a new “supergroup” comprised of members of Moxy (Earl Johnson), Lee Aaron (Morgan Evans), Santers (Rick Lazaroff). The band is heading into the studio to record new, original material and will be performing live in 2009.

About Russ Dwarf:
As co-founder of Killer Dwarfs in 1981, Russ Graham quickly gained international success, first in Canada with the Killer Dwarfs’ self-titled debut album in 1983. The break-through in the United States came when San Antonio based radio personality Joe Anthony started spinning their album on a regular basis, much to the delight of hard rocking Texans. This planted the seeds for what would result in Killer Dwarfs receiving a lot of attention south of Canada’s border.

A worldwide recording contract with Epic Records eventually landed them an opening spot for Iron Maiden’s sold out tour of Great Britain and sharing stages with such acts as Dio and Michael Schenker across North America. The band soon received a nomination for Canada’s prestigious Juno Award as “Heavy Metal Album of The Year”.

Killer Dwarfs came to an end in 1995 save for a reunion tour in 2001. Putting a period on the world of the Killer Dwarfs, they decided to pursue their own independent efforts.

NICOLA JUNCAR talks to rockers Thunder, who are at Newcastle City Hall tonight.

THUNDER once described themselves as the “biggest rock ‘n’ roll band you’ve never heard of”.

And it’s not hard to see why they feel that way.

They’ve toured the world several times over and have been on the same line-up as rock legends such as Aerosmith, Metallica, Kiss, Van Halen and Bon Jovi.

Yet despite their success and an eventful 20-year career which has just seen them release their ninth album, they’ve received very little TV or radio exposure.

So how can they still be selling records and pulling in the crowds?

The answer’s simple to guitarist and the band’s main songwriter Luke Morley, who believes their continuing success is down to hard work – but more importantly, enjoying themselves.

Having met in 1971, when they were 11, Luke and singer Danny Bowes have been playing in bands since they were 15.

Their first show, with Harry James on drums, Ben Matthews on guitar and keyboards and Mark ‘Snake’ Luckhurst on bass, was in front of just 35 people in July 1989.

But more shows followed, including two dates at the NEC in Birmingham opening for Aerosmith.

Luke said: “We just decided to get out there and play. We knew our ability to play live would make us friends and if we only played to 10 people we felt confident that those 10 people would tell their mates and another 10 would be along to the next gig.

“We grafted and we enjoyed it, and it worked!

“We went from a pub in Shepherd’s Bush to headlining three sold out nights at Hammersmith Odeon within 15 months.”

Their debut album, Backstreet Symphony, was a huge success and their follow-up album in 1992, Laughing on Judgement Day, went straight into the album charts at number two – being held off the top spot by Kylie’s Greatest Hits.

However, the rest of the 90s proved to be a tough decade – not just for Thunder, but for all traditional rock bands, as grunge and Brit Pop took over the airwaves.

Luke said: “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect us but it was hitting all the rock bands. We didn’t want to go down the grunge route. It didn’t suit our style of playing, so it was better to just persevere.”

The gamble has eventually paid off as the last 18-months or so has seen a huge rock revival, kick-started by the reunion of Led Zeppelin and last month AC/DC found themselves at the top of the album charts – something that probably wouldn’t have happened a few years ago.

Thunder have also benefited from the return to form as they toured with Whitesnake and Def Leppard this summer – two other casualties of the 90s grunge phase – and were able to put all their efforts into recording their ninth album, Bang!

Unlike most bands, however, Thunder decided not to record their songs in a studio and instead plumped for a castle, in Somerset.

Luke said: “We’ve always made our best albums in a rural, English setting so Walton Castle was the perfect location for us.

“We had cables and wires running everywhere but it was definitely worth it, as it’s the best sounding album we’ve ever made. We even befriended the local landlords, who were inconsolable when we moved out.”

This Song and video was recorded especially for a Finnish charity tv show called Nose Day. A cover song of Rauli Badding Somerjoki with rewritten lyrics in English. This is not an official Malice in Wonderland song or video but done only for Yle’s charity TV-gala Nose Day Nov.14th

The English band Thunder is back with their 9th studio album “Bang!”. Like a lot of English bands there is nothing flashy or outrageous about Thunder and like a lot of their European counter-parts they have largely been ignored here in the states but loved throughout Europe and Asia. They are not a band whose music is going to start a musical revolution or change the world, but the things you are always going to get from Danny Bowes, Luke Morley, and the boys are a solid performance with some great songs from start to finish.

“Bang!’ gets started with “On The Radio”, which is a classic Thunder song that can proudly stand up with songs like “Dirty Love”, “Flawed To Perfection”, and “I Love You More Than Rock-n-Roll” to name a few. Bowes sings the truth in fact that the band has survived in the music business for over 20 years despite the fact they have received almost no support from radio or video channels. Morley, one of the most underrated guitar players in music, lays down a great bluesy riff with a great solo and a touch of slide guitar. “On The Radio” is a song that will have to tapping your foot and singing along after one listen.

“Stormwater” has another great blues riff as it starts off and with the bass lines laid down by Chris Childs. It is not a sing along song like the album opener but with its great solo and jam feel to it it is definitely another can’t miss song.

“Carol Ann” starts out with a little acoustic and slide guitar courtesy of Ben Matthews and Luke Morley, but this mid tempo rocker has a gospel feel to it when you throw in a little piano and with the back up vocals and hand claps. With a solo perfect for all the air guitar players out there and a great chorus Thunder could have yet another classic on their hands.

“Candy Man” is not a cover of the Sammy Davis Jr. staple, but it is another great song that can easily stand and fit in with any number of songs in Thunder’s catalog. While I hate to beat a dead dog, for the life of me I can’t understand why Luke Morley does not get more respect as a guitarist, his playing on this song and album as a whole is excellent.

If there is one weak spot on “Bang!” it would be the ballads. Unfortunately when it comes to ballads by Thunder I always compare them to “Love Walked In” and “A Lover Not A Friend” which isn’t fair because those two songs are absolutely great songs. But there is one on “Bang!” that comes close to equaling those two, that being “Watching Over You” which seems to be a duet between Bowes and Morley and is another great performance.

“Miracle Man” covers a familiar topic, TV preachers trying to get people to save their souls by emptying out their pockets in the name of religion. While Bowes sounds angry when singing about the subject he still makes the song a great roll the windows down and sing along song.

Following in the foot steps of “Englishman on Holiday” comes “Turn Left at California”. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear this song covered by any number of country artists. It is almost a country song as it is with Thunder playing thanks to the banjo and harmonica used in the song. This is a great road trip song.

“Love Sucks”, “One Bullet”, and “Honey” finish out the album with “Honey” being the best of three as it is yet another song that can stand proudly with any of Thunder’s more recognizable songs.

Like I said earlier Thunder are not going to change the musical landscape with this album. But you are definitely going to get more “Bang!” for your buck with this album than a lot of the bands that are actually getting airplay these days.